Mount Alexander Shire’s Roadside Conservation Management Plan
Posted on 8 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Mount Alexander Shire Council has now published the Roadside Conservation Management Plan, 2012-2017. Comments on the draft plan were invited in July and this final report is the result of the community consultation that took place.
As noted in the Plan, 46% of Mount Alexander region’s roadsides (1090 kilometres) have either high or medium conservation value. Roadsides are arguably our most significant biodiversity asset.
The report is a comprehensive document with chapters on the natural and functional values of roadsides as well as eighteen actions to guide Council’s roadside operations and protection works with associated costs and timing.
The Management Plan can be downloaded here.
Position Available – Crew Leader
Posted on 8 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
We are seeking a Crew Leader for Connecting Country’s new program – Connecting Landscapes across the Mount Alexander Region.
Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to make the natural world a better place? Do you want to get people involved in the solution?
If yes, then this could be the job for you.
Connecting Country is seeking a suitable candidate to lead its new environmental Works Crew. With funding from the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund, Connecting Country is implementing a long term program to protect and enhance native vegetation at a number of sites across the Mount Alexander shire and immediate surrounds in central Victoria.
For more information on the program, and also for a copy of the position description including key selection criteria, click here. The role is a full time, fixed term position.
Applications with a curriculum vitae and addressing the Key Selection Criteria should be marked “Confidential – Connecting Landscapes Crew Leader” and be submitted to “Connecting Country, PO Box 437, Castlemaine, VIC, 3450” by Sunday 28th October 2012 or by email to jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au
For more information regarding the project and the position, contact Jarrod Coote on (03) 5472-1594 or email jarrod@connectingcountry.org.au
28 October 2012 – Bird Identification Workshop
Posted on 7 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
As a part of Connecting Country’s Threatened Woodland Bird Programme, we are holding a workshop to introduce interested community members to the experience of “birding”.
Many people are passionate about the birds on their land, but either don’t have the confidence to identify them or don’t really know where to start to learn the skills needed for bird identification. This workshop designed to provide a starting point, beginning with the basics of equipment and recording techniques, followed with an overview on how to identify groups of species and some individual birds; in particular those of conservation significance in the Mount Alexander region.
It is hoped that the skills provided during the workshop will encourage and inspire participants to get involved with the community monitoring programme being developed by Connecting Country, as well as encourage participation in the Annual Bird Count, run by BirdLife Australia (previously BOCA) and locally coordinated by the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club in December.
The important information
When: Sunday 28th October 2012, from 10am until early afternoon (though could go longer for those participants who wish to go further afield to test their new skills)
Where: The Old Tearooms, Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. A map of the location is available here.
Who: The workshop is being run by Dr Kerryn Herman, Connecting Country’s Woodland Bird Programme coordinator. All interested persons are encouraged to come and “get their bird on”, however content will be directed towards an adult audience. Bring your own binoculars if you have them, and wear shoes and clothes suitable for walking around parts of the botanic gardens (potentially including the woodland area on the other side of the waterway).
A light lunch will be provided, so please RSVP for catering purposes: kerryn@connectingcountry.org.au, (03) 5472-1594.
To download a flier about this event click here. This workshop is run to coincide with National Bird Week
23 Oct – Connecting Country’s Annual General Meeting
Posted on 6 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
When: From 7pm, Tuesday 23rd October
Where: Garden Room, Buda Historic Homestead, 42 Hunter St, Castlemaine
Please join us in some wine and supper and celebrate our previous 12 months of Connecting Country. During the formalities of the AGM, we will be hearing from the President Marie Jones, receiving updates from the Treasurer Elvyne Hogan and electing the Committee of Management for next 12 months. The full AGM agenda can be downloaded here. The minutes from the previous AGM are available here.
In addition, we shall have special guest speakers – with the details on these to follow soon. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
If you are interested in being on the Connecting Country Committee of Management, or nominating someone else, the committee nomination form can be downloaded here. Completed forms must be posted to Secretary/Public Officer, Connecting Country Inc., PO Box 437, Castlemaine VIC 3450 by the 16 October 2012. Alternatively, a scanned copy can be emailed to the Secretary/Public Officer of Connecting Country (april.merrick@dahltrust.org.au). (NB: For those that received a copy of the nomination form in the mail, it has an incorrect return postal address on it – it should be PO Box 437 not 347. Please let us know if you’ve already posted it to 347).
It’s also time to renew your membership for the 2012-13 year! Although membership is free, existing Connecting Country members still need to renew their membership on an annual basis. New membership applications are also encouraged. In order to do this, the following documents can be downloaded:
- Individual membership application form – which can be posted back, or filled out on the night
- Individual membership renewal form – which can be posted or emailed back, or also filled out on the night
For AGM catering purposes, please RSVP to naomi@connectingcountry.org.au or call Naomi or Chris on 5472 1594 by Tuesday the 16th of October.
Sunday 7 Oct 2012 – Barkers Ck Local Action Plan Launch and BBQ
Posted on 4 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
A section of Barkers Creek that the Landcare Network is managing.
Barkers Creek Clean-up Project Officer, Michael Luke, in consultation with the Barkers Creek Landcare Network has developed a ‘Local Action Plan’ for Barkers Creek. Helpful feedback from the public was received during the draft period, for which Michael and the Network are very grateful.
To celebrate the successful development of the plan, the Network is hosting a launch event, consisting of a free community BBQ and ‘walk and talk’ session along an adjacent section of Barkers Creek. The launch is being held on Sunday October 7th from midday to 2pm at ‘Stanley Park’, located at High Street, Harcourt (opposite the BP service station). The BBQ is free and everyone is welcome. Non-alcoholic drinks will also be provided.
A PDF version of the Local Action Plan can be downloaded here. Copies of the Plan will be available for viewing at the launch.
For more information about the launch or the Action Plan, email michael@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594.
Be Natural Landcare Grants 2012
Posted on 3 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
There are 20 Be Natural Landcare Grants of up to $2,500 available for volunteer community groups to work on projects such as building local community gardens or creating indoor edible gardens within community centres, while aiming to get more volunteers involved across community oriented environmental projects.
The Be Natural Landcare Grants Program 2012 is open to all environmental groups including the Landcare Community across Australia (Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare groups and “Friends of” groups), Junior Landcare projects and community groups that work on environmental issues in Australia. The grants are offered by Landcare Australia and the closing date for applications is 26 October, 2012.
Visit the Be Natural website for eligibility criteria and applications details.
Farm Tree and Landcare Association newsletter
Posted on 3 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
The latest Farm Tree and Landcare Association newsletter is now available. It includes information on the new Victorian Landcare License Plates, a range of funding opportunities and events, a discount offer for FTLA members (which includes all current Connecting Country members) and new resources. It can be downloaded here.
12 & 13 October 2012 – Castlemaine Rural Event
Posted on 1 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Norman Wettenhall Foundation and the Bjarne K Dahl Trust are presenting a Castlemaine Rural Event on the Friday 12th and Saturday 13th of October. The two days are packed full of activities including a Eucalypt identification session, a botanical illustration workshop, bird watching, dinner with guest speaker at Buda, and an historical talk by Raimond Gaita.
The full program including costs and registration details for the various activities is available here. There are a small number of spaces remaining. If you are interested in participating contact Beth Mellick on phone on 5472 1316, 0431 219 980 or email beth@nwf.org.au.
20 October 2012 – Indigenous Plant Use
Posted on 1 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Dr. Beth Gott of Monash University will share her research findings in a special presentation about the indigenous cultures that have managed this land for thousands of generations. This is an opportunity to learn about the plants indigenous people used and how they used them, from food and medicine to ornaments and glue.
The evening will be held at the Baynton Hall, Baynton, and is hosted by the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group. All are welcome to a BBQ at 6.30 pm which will be followed by the presentation which starts at 7.30 pm. Bookings are essential with RSVP’s required by Wednesday 17 October. Please note any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
This event is presented by the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group with financial assistance from the North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Commonwealth Government Bushfire Recovery fund.
For more information and to RSVP contact Clare from the Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group on 5423 4152.
Native Grasses: Short Courses Now Open
Posted on 1 October, 2012 by Connecting Country
Would you like to improve your native grass identification skills? Are you interested in learning more about managing native grasses?
Expressions of interest are now being accepted by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) for two native grass identification short courses. The two-day courses are expected to be held in Bendigo during November 2012 and will cover identifying features, importance and ecology of Australian grasses.
One course will cater for professionals working in agriculture and natural resource management, with the other course tailored to farmers, Landcare members and Trust for Nature covenanters.
The interactive courses will be presented by local botanist and ecologist Paul Foreman and will involve lectures and hands-on experience in the laboratory, followed by a field trip.
Expressions of interest are required no later than Monday 15 October, 2012. Please note that expressions of interest will only be accepted from people living in the North Central CMA region. Places are strictly limited.
The courses are funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Landcare Facilitator project hosted by the North Central CMA, the Victorian Government’s Landcare Program and Trust for Nature.
For more information contact Communications Officer, North Central CMA on (03) 5448 7124 or email: info@nccma.vic.gov.au
New Edition of Chat
Posted on 26 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
The September edition of the North Central CMA newsletter ‘North Central chat’ (formerly known as Groundcover) is now available. The edition includes articles on the new Victorian weeds and pest animal legislation, the new Landcare is For Everyone (L.I.F.E.) campaign and a Native Grass ID Short Course.
Consultation Paper Released on Native Vegetation Clearing
Posted on 21 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
DSE has recently released a consultation paper entitled Future directions for native vegetation in Victoria: Review of Victoria’s native vegetation permitted clearing regulations. From an environmental, social and agricultural perspective, this report is important. Its overall context is a review of the current Victorian native vegetation policy. Specific attention is given to the efficiency and effectiveness of vegetation clearing regulations.
Stakeholders and the community are invited to provide feedback about:
- issues identified with the current permitted clearing regulations
- the four priority reforms and five supporting reforms proposed to address these issues
- Issues related to implementing the proposed reforms.
Details for submitting feedback are published here. The closing date for submissions is 19 October 2012.
Dinosaurs Discovered in Newstead
Posted on 20 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
A good crowd gathered at Newstead Community Centre on Sunday 9 September to hear palaeontologist Pat Rich from Monash University give a fascinating presentation on Victoria’s ‘polar dinosaurs’.
Pat’s talk described the work that she and her husband Tom have been involved in for many years and the types of dinosaurs that lived in Gondwana, when Victoria’s latitude was 70 degrees south. This was followed by a ‘show-and-tell’ session with some bones. Pat and Tom have been responsible for the discovery of virtually all of the dinosaur fossils in Victoria and they brought along some great examples of their discoveries. Apparently Australia is not a particularly fertile landscape for fossil hunters because of its geological stability and deeply eroded surface, but there are a few locations – Cape Otway and Western Queensland – where dinosaur bones are found. So far, there have been no complete skeletons found in Victoria – only tantalising bits and pieces. These are often matched up to complete skeletons from other parts of the world for identification.
It was interesting to learn that, like Landcare, none of their work would have been possible without the help of volunteers. Tom estimated that at least 50 years worth of volunteer hours have gone into their work. They have also received in-kind support from many organisations, including the use of helicopters, mining equipment and, most creatively, bamboo poles from the Royal Botanic Gardens! No doubt the potential for a company to have a dinosaur named after them (Qantasaurus) helps.
Connecting Country received a Foundation Project Grant for this project, which is part of the Victorian Government’s $12 million Victorian Local Landcare Facilitator Initiative to provide local Landcare support.
Landcare Bushdance a Blast
Posted on 18 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
The Mount Alexander Landcare Bushdance held on Saturday 8 September was a great night despite the inclement weather. The 90 or so attendees made the most of the music being played by James Rigby and Jane Thompson, with a band that included the diversely talented Ian Higgins on fiddle.
The dance was put on for the Landcarer community and everybody else as well. As it turned out, a large number of attendees fell into the ‘everybody else’ category. It was great to see so many fresh faces at a Landcare event, and hopefully it has made Landcare a bit more familiar to a new generation.
The Bushdance was kindly supported by North Central CMA, Madderns IGA, Sprout Bakery, Stoneman’s Bookroom and the Newstead Natives Nursery.
A big thank you to all those who helped out on the night and to Nikki Valentini from Castlemaine Abundance Kitchen Enterprise for the delicious soups.
40 Seconds of Nest Box Action
Posted on 16 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country has installed two trail cameras to film activity at a nest box on a covenanted property on the outskirts of Castlemaine. (Thanks to the folks from the North Central region of Trust for Nature for use of the equpiment). The box contains a nesting female Brush-tailed Phascogale (Tuan) which is a great result for Connecting Country’s nest box project and for the Tuan population itself.
All landholders with Connecting Country nest boxes installed on their properties will soon receive a nest box survey field guide that will assist them with performing surveys of their own boxes. The results of these surveys will help Connecting Country determine the extent and health of the Tuan population across the region. A summary of the data from the first two years of nest box surveys will also be provided soon.
In the meantime, please enjoy the attached video clips that show the comings and goings at a nest box located in a Box-Ironbark Forest ecosystem. There is also a clip of a Sugar Glider, kindly supplied by the Chewton Bushlands Association, that shows the animal lining its nest with eucalyptus leaves. The most interesting feature of this clip is that the Sugar Glider is using its tail to carry the leaves.
Click here for footage showing a Brush-tailed Phascogale carrying nest material to its nest
Click here for footage showing a Sugar Glider continuing to watch the Brush-tailed Phascogale occupied nest box.
Click here for footage showing a Sugar Glider carrying eucalyptus leaves by it’s tail.
The Sugar Glider pictured here is the same one featured in the second video clip. As you will note from the image below, the Brush-tailed Phascogale is hot on the Sugar Glider’s heals, turning up about 20 minutes later to see what might be amiss.
Mother phascogale turns up to check on the brood.
Barkers Creek Local Action Plan – your feedback sought
Posted on 14 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
Local Action Plan Workshop participants discussing potential projects along each section of Barkers Creek.
The draft Barkers Creek Local Action Plan is a synthesis of the aspirations of three Landcare groups and the ideas of forty community members. The plan is now available for public comment and feedback.
Barkers Creek Clean-up Project Officer, Michael Luke commented that the ‘Local Action Plan is a big part of the Barkers Creek Clean-up Project. It has been developed in conjunction with the Barkers Creek Landcare Network and the local landholders who live along the length of the creek. We had over 40 people attend the community workshop in June. We wanted to find out what is important to the local community about Barkers Creek and what suggestions they have for the future management of the creek. We were very excited when twenty-five project concepts came out of the workshop. This draft Local Action Plan has been developed directly from those proposals.’
The Barkers Creek Landcare Network consists of the Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife, Harcourt Valley and the North Harcourt/Sedgwick Landcare groups, and receives support from Conencting Country. Once finalised, the Local Action Plan will help the three local Landcare groups to plan their activities into the future, and also to assist them in applying for grants and future funding opportunities. It will also be a useful resource for landholders and other community members living along and near the creek.
The draft plan is available for public comment and feedback. The plan can be downloaded here. For more information about the project or to provide comments and feedback about the plan, email michael@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594. Comments close on the 28th of September. If you are a landholder along the creek and have not contacted us before – please get in touch!
14 September 2012 – CFNC meeting on Cryptograms
Posted on 6 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
Cassia Read will be the guest speaker at next Castlemaine Field Naturalist meeting on Friday 14 September. Her presentation is entitled Miniature wonderlands of the dry country: What you miss when you don’t walk on your knees.
Cassia has been studying and working in the field of ecology for the last 15 years, starting out with a botany degree at Melbourne Uni and followed by a range of jobs including Fungimap coordinator, researching the evolution of plant architecture, and reporting on the impact of climate change on biodiversity in national parks. She is currently doing a PhD at Melbourne Uni on biological soil crusts of the Mallee and Wimmera.
Cassia is a member of a local group of moss enthusiasts who regularly go on short field trips. The group is working towards producing a guide to mosses in the area. More information on this can be found on the Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests website.
The following is an abstract of her upcoming CFNC talk.
Arid lands across the world share a common ecology with low rainfall, few trees and shrubs, and intriguing carpets of cryptogams protecting the soil (mosses, lichens, fungi and more). Otherwise known as biological soil crusts, these communities of cryptogams are full of interest; they exist at the soil surface in harsh environments and act as ecosystem engineers. Follow me on an exploration of these intriguing microcosms, around the globe and in our own arid lands of north west of Victoria to see their beauty, discover more about their importance and to understand how we can use this knowledge to manage our dry country.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The meeting commences at 7.30pm, and is being held in the hall behind the Uniting Church in Lyttleton St, Castlemaine.
For those interested there will be a short excursion the next morning. The group will meet at the Octopus building on Duke St (opposite the Castle Motel) at 9.30am.
Applications Now Open for Strengthening Our Community Grants
Posted on 6 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
Applications for the Strengthening Our Community Grants Scheme for 2012–2013 were opened by the Mount Alexander Shire on the 29 August 2012. Applications close 12 October 2012.
Application forms and Guidelines are available from:
- Mount Alexander Shire website
- 25 Lyttleton Street or 9 Halford St Castlemaine
- Community Development Administration Assistant on 5471 1744
Information Sessions will be held at the following locations and times:
- Maldon Neighbourhood Centre, at the corner Edward and Church Streets, 11 September 2012, 12noon – 1pm
- Ray Bradfield Room, Victory Park Castlemaine, 13 September 2012, 1pm – 2pm
- Ray Bradfield Room, Victory Park Castlemaine, 13 September 2012, 6.30pm – 7.30p
The following information relates to the Sustainability and Natural Environment Category of the Grants scheme.
Aim
To support the implementation of Council’s Environment Strategy 2010-2014 thereby improving the sustainability and resilience of the natural and built environments of the Mount Alexander Shire.
Objectives
Council’s Environment Strategy contains 44 objectives under the themes of:
- Climate change, greenhouse and energy
- Land and biodiversity
- Urban development, planning and sustainable transport
- Waste and resource efficiency
- Water
Proposals for funding under this category should identify which theme the project will address. Applications demonstrating relevance to a particular objective or particular objectives, particularly how the project will assist Council implement an objective or objectives, will be highly favoured. The Environment Strategy is available from www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/environment.
Funding
Grant requests made under the Sustainability and Natural Environment category may range from $500 to $3000 (total amount $40,500). Only in exceptional circumstances will grant requests exceeding these amounts be approved.
Castlemaine Children’s Literature Festival
Posted on 4 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
Castlemaine Children’s Literature Festival will be held during the next school holidays (1–7 October). The week is packed with activities for all age-groups and Connecting Country will be presenting a session on Thursday 4 October between 10.30am and 12.30pm. The session is aimed at 7–10 year olds and will begin at Buda with a reading of Rachel Tonkin’s book, Leaf Litter. The group will then go to Kalimna Park for a treasure hunt. The cost is $12 and bookings are necessary. For further details about this session and the rest of the week’s activities click here for a Festival program.
Latest Edition of ‘chat’
Posted on 4 September, 2012 by Connecting Country
The North Central newsletter formerly known as Groundcover has been renamed North Central chat. The August edition includes information on the Winjallok celebration of 25 years of Landcare, the results of a recent national Landcare survey, and a summary of Australian Framework for Landcare which focusses on the future of the Landcare movement and achievements to date. There are also two articles on Connecting Country. The newsletter can be downloaded here.